Norway boss Solbakken denies Manchester City pressured Haaland into skipping press conference

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has publicly dismissed suggestions that Manchester City influenced his decision to pull Erling Haaland from a scheduled press conference last Saturday, calling the claims outright lies that damage his personal integrity.

Haaland had been due to face reporters ahead of Norway’s Nations League fixture against Portugal in Oslo on Sunday but was replaced at the last minute by Fredrik Aursnes and Andreas Schjelderup. The change came a day after Manchester City were found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules — a verdict the club have denied throughout the process and intend to appeal.

Solbakken was unequivocal in his response to suggestions City had intervened. Speaking to Norwegian outlet VG, via Sport Witness, he said: “I haven’t spoken to anyone at Manchester City about the media since Erling was to move from Dortmund to City. That was the last time I spoke to City about the media. It’s a lie. It also undermines my integrity. I go to great lengths to be honest because this is the people’s national team.”

The Norway coach clarified that the decision was his alone and was made without even informing Haaland directly. “I just said: ‘You can let this go. If you want to go, then you go. But for me you are exempt,’” Solbakken added.

Haaland showed no sign of distraction when the match kicked off, scoring his third goal of the international break as Norway took the lead. His side ultimately lost 2-1, however, leaving the striker visibly disappointed at full time. Cameras caught a brief and notably cool exchange between Haaland and former City teammate Bernardo Silva — now at Real Madrid — with Silva appearing to initiate a hug that went largely unreciprocated. Whether that reflected frustration at the result, the wider off-field noise surrounding City, or simply the absence of a club relationship was unclear. Some observers also pointed to a late Silva tackle on Martin Odegaard as a potential source of irritation.

Haaland did share a warmer moment with current City teammate Ruben Dias, who started for Portugal, with the pair seen in conversation at the final whistle.

Elsewhere among City’s international contingent, Rayan Cherki came off the bench to register an assist as France edged Belgium in a late finish on Monday. Nico O’Reilly, meanwhile, had a mixed week for England — providing the cross that led to Harry Kane’s goal against Spain the previous week, before giving the ball away in a dangerous position that contributed to Alex Baena’s strike for the hosts.